Tuesday, April 16, 2013
The application period is from April 16-May 3.
Are you interested in your child attending a magnet program, career and tech program or a school not assigned to your child? The Hillsborough Choice Options application period for the 2013-2014 school year opens April 16 and runs through May 3, 2013, according to an announcement issued by the district. Under Hillsborough Choice Options students can apply for a magnet school, a career and technical Education program, or another public school with available space within Hillsborough County. Students who wish to remain at their current magnet or choice school, or prefer to attend their attendance area school, do not need to complete an application, according to the statement. School choice and magnet programs are available for students …
Tuesday, March 19, 2013
A bill under consideration in the Florida House would enable school principals to arm select teachers.
Imagine sending your children to school knowing they're protected from bad guys not by an armed deputy or security officer, but a fifth-grade English teacher with a Glock. That’s what the future may hold for school security if Florida Rep. Greg Steube, R-Bradenton, gets his way. Steube has drafted a bill that would give Florida principals the power to choose teachers who would have the right to carry weapons on campus, according to The Tampa Tribune. These teachers would have to obtain a concealed weapons permit and undergo training. Principals, by the way, would also be able to determine just how many teachers are allowed to carry, making the number vary from school to school. "It would be a good deterrent," The Tribune quoted Steube as …
Monday, March 11, 2013
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Saturday, March 2, 2013
The National School Board Action Center is urging the president and Congress to continue vital school programs.
With across-the-board federal cuts taking effect today through sequestration, National School Boards Action Center is urging parents and members of the community to contact their congressional representatives to ensure that cuts don't impact vital school programs. The NSBAC is encouraging Congress and President Barack Obama to develop an immediate bipartisan solution that will allow school districts to continue operating without laying off teachers and cutting programs that help students succeed. “Congress and the Obama Administration must act now to alleviate these cuts to education before school districts have to issue pink slips and inform parents that vital programs and resources are going to be cut,” said Thomas J. Gentzel, the …
Monday, February 25, 2013
To make life easier for South Tampa parents, we publish the latest school menus for you each week.
You can find more Hillsborough County School lunch and breakfast menus on the dirstrict's website.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
The national holiday doesn’t mean a day off for Hillsborough County public school students.
While kids in nearby Pasco County will get to enjoy a long weekend, South Tampa-area students are expected to hit the books Monday, Feb. 18. Presidents Day is not a day off in Hillsborough, according to the school district’s calendar. Hillsborough students, however, do get a day off their neighbors in Pasco can’t boast. For those in the west part of the county, the recent Florida State Fair Day, observed Feb. 8, provided a long weekend. Children enrolled in public schools on the east side of the county get March 4 off for Strawberry Festival Day. Youngsters in Hillsborough also have spring break to look forward to. It runs March 11-15 this year. Presidents Day is observed annually on the third Monday of February. It was originally …
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Hillsborough County students get free admission to the Florida State Fair on Feb. 8.
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Thursday, February 7
South Tampa students can hit the midway instead of the books Friday. Hillsborough County chools will be closed for Florida State Fair day on Feb. 8, with free admission tickets provided for students. The gates open at 9 a.m. at the state fairgrounds, and there are more than 100 free things to see and do. (A list of suggestions from the folks at the fair is attached to this story.) Everyone can take advantage of Pepsi armband day on Friday, as well. Armbands for unlimited rides are regularly $30, but you can get $5 off by bringing an empty Diet Mountain Dew can to the gate. Check out Friday's complete line up of activities and entertainment on the Florida State Fair website. The fairgrounds are located at 4800 US Hwy. 301 North in Tampa. …
Saturday, February 2, 2013
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Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The board turned down Superintendent MaryEllen Elia's recommendation to hire 130 security officers until it can get a better handle on the best way to ensure the safety of public school children.
Like a lot of moms around the country, the Dec. 14 mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., stood as a wakeup call for Tampa resident Bridgitte Kramer. "I'm very concerned about the safety of my children," said Kramer, whose children attend Oak Grove Elementary School on North Armenia Avenue. In fact, Kramer was so alarmed by the shooting, she sat through a five-hour Hillsborough County School Board meeting Tuesday, Jan. 15, with her two antsy children in tow, to find out if the board would agree to hire armed security guards for public elementary schools. It was a sacrifice Kramer willingly made for her own kids as well as all the other children in Hillsborough County schools. As president of the Hillsborough …
Friday, January 4, 2013
In the wake of the Newtown, Conn., tragedy, law enforcement officials have decided to keep beefed up security in place at local elementary schools.
As elementary school students throughout South Tampa prepare to go back to class on Monday, they aren’t alone. Hillsborough County sheriff’s deputies and Tampa Police officers will also return in time for that first bell – and they’ll stick around throughout the rest of the school year. “School safety is the utmost priority,” explained Lt. Chad Chronister of the sheriff’s office’s community outreach division. With 91 elementary schools in unincorporated Hillsborough County alone, Chronister said the sheriff’s office will have its work cut out for it, but it’s up to the challenge. “We have a great sheriff,” he said. “He doesn’t care what it costs … just get it done. We’re going to do whatever it takes.” Hillsborough deputies aren't alone in…
K Crum
11:20 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
There was some confusion Tuesday evening about 'private security', SRO's, SRD's, and 'school security officers'.......SRO/SRD's are actual law enforcement officers, either TPD or Sheriff Office Deputies. There are (armed) school security personel, and I don't know enough about the qualifications to give an opinion on without more research......but, 'private security companies' are what I am … more ›